Illinois

Illinois Primary 2018

Illinois voters went to the polls on Tuesday, March 20, to select the candidates who will face off in the General Election on November 6.These "midterm" elections have drawn a great deal of interest and, in some cases, a surprising number of candidates to statewide and national races.There also were numerous ballot refrenda for voters to decide on, such issues as school construction, fire protection, home rule, and even the sale of liquor.WNIJ News has collated many of the stories presented this election season. You can find them here as a handy reference.

Democrats Stoddard And West Win Primary Races For Open Statehouse Seats

Northern Public Radio | By WNIJ News

Published March 20, 2018 at 9:59 PM CDT

Democratic Illinois House candidates Paul Stoddard of the 70th District, left, and Maurice West of the 67th District. (right) are running for State Representative in the 70th District

The fall races are decided to replace two Illinois House members from northern Illinois who did not run for re-election.

Democrat Paul Stoddard will face Republican Jeff Keicher in November in the race for the Illinois 70th District House seat, which had been occupied by longtime incumbent Republican Bob Pritchard.

Stoddard, a retired geology professor at Northern Illinois University, has been a DeKalb County Board member for 10 years. He defeated Howard Solomon in the Democratic primaryTuesday.

Keicher, an insurance agent, was uncontested in the primary. A political newcomer, he has served on a number of local boards in Sycamore, including the Chamber of Commerce, the public library, and Rotary.

In Rockford, four Democrats fought for their party’s nomination in the 67^th district. The seat is open because Democratic Rep. Litesa Wallace gave it up to run for Lieutenant Governor, as running mate for gubernatorial hopeful Daniel Biss.

Maurice West captured about 40 percent of the vote. No Republican filed in the race for the 67^th District, which traditionally has been a solidly Democratic seat.